Which Jack Stands Should You Buy?

On this page (8 sections)

1. Which jack stands should you buy for your vehicle?
2. How much capacity should jack stands have?
3. What height range do you need?
4. Which locking style should you choose?
5. Which jack stands fit different buyers?
6. What should you check before buying?
7. How do you use jack stands safely?
8. Which jack stands should you buy?

Buy jack stands by matching capacity, working height, saddle fit and locking design to your vehicle and the job. Set them on firm, level ground at approved support points, and never work under a vehicle held only by a jack.

Start with the vehicle manual and the stand instructions. They help you confirm where to lift, where to place the stands and how to secure the vehicle.

If you are unsure how much lift or support height you need, compare our guides to choosing the right jack stand size and jack stands for trucks and tall SUVs.

Which jack stands should you buy for your vehicle?

Choose stands that fit the vehicle’s support points and working height, with enough rated capacity for the support arrangement. Do not choose by capacity alone: the stand must reach the right height and fit securely under the vehicle.

Check the rating wording carefully. A product may describe capacity for a pair, while a vehicle’s weight is spread across several support points.

Follow the stand maker’s instructions and your vehicle manual instead of trying to divide the vehicle’s weight by guesswork.

A jack stand only supports a vehicle after a jack has raised it. For a clear explanation of how their jobs differ, see floor jack vs jack stands.

How much capacity should jack stands have?

Buy stands with a capacity suited to your vehicle and support setup, and verify what the stated rating covers. The stands in this guide range from 3 ton to 12 ton, but that range is not a recommendation for every vehicle.

For example, the BIG RED T43202 pair is rated at 3 ton (6,000 lb), while the Yellow Jacket pair is described as 3 ton (6,600 lb). Pro-LifT gives its pair a 6 ton rating, and BIG RED gives its pin type pair a 12 ton rating.

Those numbers can help narrow options, but they do not tell you where to place a stand or whether its shape suits your vehicle. Use the vehicle maker’s approved lifting and support points, and follow the capacity instructions for the exact stand.

Do not assume a higher capacity compensates for poor placement. A stand at the wrong point, on an unstable surface or outside its working range can create a serious hazard regardless of its rating.

What height range do you need?

Choose a stand whose minimum height fits beneath the vehicle’s approved support point and whose maximum height reaches the working position you need. Leave room for the saddle to contact the support point securely without pushing the stand to its limit.

The products here cover different height needs:

Measure from the floor to the approved support point with the vehicle in the state required for lifting. Also account for the height of the saddle and the space needed to position the stand.

If you need to lift higher, confirm both the stand’s capacity and its usable height. A taller stand does not automatically suit a heavier vehicle, and a high rating does not mean the stand will fit under a low car.

Which locking style should you choose?

Choose a locking system you can engage, inspect and use as instructed. Ratchet stands adjust through set positions; pin type stands use a pin to secure the support column.

The BIG RED T43202 uses a multi-position ratchet bar with a sawtooth design and a double locking pawl and tooth design. Yellow Jacket describes a ratchet bar with a handle lock and metal safety pins, while Pro-LifT describes handle locks and a mobility pin.

The BIG RED ATZ120005R is a pin type stand with an adjustable pin secured to the stand. A pin type design may suit you if you prefer a fixed pin to set the column at its selected height.

No locking style makes correct placement optional. Before lowering the vehicle onto stands, confirm that each stand is upright, on firm level ground and positioned at an approved support point; check that its locking parts are in place.

Which jack stands fit different buyers?

The right choice depends on your vehicle, clearance and the height you need for the work. These four options illustrate different capacity and adjustment ranges.

BIG RED T43202 3 Ton Steel Jack Stands

The BIG RED T43202 pair suits buyers who need a 3 ton steel stand with a ratchet adjustment. Its height range is 11-1/4 to 16-3/4 in, and its wide pyramid foot base and large saddle are designed to support stable contact.

The stand’s forged steel construction has a welded frame. BIG RED also describes a double locking pawl and tooth design.

The product title says it is not suitable for SUVs or trucks, so do not choose it for those vehicles. Confirm the stand’s fit for your car and the support points before use.

Yellow Jacket 3 Ton Double Locking Jack Stands

The Yellow Jacket pair suits buyers looking for a 3 ton stand with a double locking design and a lower minimum height of 10-7/8 in. It has a 10-7/8 to 16-9/16 in height range.

Yellow Jacket describes a wide pyramid foot base and large top saddle. Its stated vehicle compatibility includes cars and sport utility vehicles.

Check the required support height before choosing it. Its maximum height is below the Pro-LifT pair’s, so it may not suit a job that needs more lift.

Pro-LifT 6 Ton Heavy Duty Jack Stands

The Pro-LifT pair suits buyers who need a taller stand with a 6 ton capacity. Its height range is 15 to 23-1/2 in, so it is aimed at vehicles and jobs that need a higher support position.

Its stamped steel frame is welded, with a 10-1/2 x 9 in foot base and a large saddle. Pro-LifT describes it for home, auto, truck service, farm and shop use.

The 15 in minimum height may be too tall to fit beneath some vehicles at the approved support point. Measure first, then compare the height range with your vehicle’s instructions.

BIG RED ATZ120005R 12 Ton Pin Type Jack Stands

The BIG RED ATZ120005R pair suits buyers who need a high rated capacity and prefer a pin type support column. Its listed height range is 12-5/8 to 18-1/8 in.

The stands use welded steel construction, and the pin is designed to stay secured to the stand. The pair is described for cars, sedans, trucks, SUVs, ATVs and UTVs.

This pair weighs 42.7 lb, so consider whether you need to move it often. Check that its height range and saddle fit your vehicle’s approved support points.

What should you check before buying?

Check the vehicle manual, stand instructions and actual measurements before placing an order. A few minutes with a tape measure can rule out stands that cannot fit or reach the support points.

• Find the vehicle maker’s approved lifting and support points.
• Measure the floor-to-support-point height in the required setup.
• Check that each stand’s minimum height clears the point and its maximum height reaches your intended position.
• Confirm how the capacity rating applies to the pair or individual stands.
• Compare the saddle shape and size with the approved support point.
• Read the locking instructions and confirm you can inspect the lock or pin.
• Consider the stand’s weight and dimensions if storage or carrying matters.

The guide to how much weight a 3 ton jack can lift explains why a jack’s capacity figure also needs context. A jack’s rating and a stand’s rating describe different equipment with different jobs.

How do you use jack stands safely?

Use stands only on firm, level ground, following your vehicle and stand instructions. Keep the vehicle supported by the jack while positioning the stands, then lower it carefully onto the stands and confirm it is stable before beginning work.

Set the parking brake and secure the wheels that remain on the ground as your vehicle manual directs. Keep people clear while lifting or lowering, and never place any part of your body under a vehicle supported only by a jack.

Do not exceed the stand’s stated working range or use a damaged stand. If the vehicle shifts, the stand tilts or the support point does not sit correctly, stop and reset the setup from a safe position.

For jobs where you are comparing equipment, bottle jacks and jack stands have different roles: a bottle jack lifts, while a stand supports a raised vehicle. If you need to leave a vehicle supported, review whether you can leave a car on jack stands and follow the stand maker’s instructions.

Which jack stands should you buy?

Choose the BIG RED T43202 or Yellow Jacket pair when their 3 ton rating and height ranges suit your car and support points. For a taller setup, compare the Pro-LifT 6 ton pair; choose the BIG RED pin type pair when its 12 ton rating, pin design and height range fit your needs.

Before you decide, confirm capacity, minimum and maximum height, saddle fit and locking method against the vehicle manual. Then set the stands on firm, level ground and follow the instructions for both the vehicle and the stands.

Frequently asked questions

How do I know what capacity jack stands to buy?

Choose a pair whose rated capacity suits the vehicle and the way you will support it. Read whether the rating applies to the pair or each stand, then follow your vehicle’s lifting instructions and the stand maker’s guidance.

A larger number alone does not confirm that a stand fits your vehicle or support point.

Are 3 ton jack stands enough for a car?

A 3 ton pair may suit some cars, but the vehicle’s weight alone does not settle the choice. Check the stand’s rating basis, support arrangement, required height and vehicle manual.

For SUVs, trucks or a higher working position, compare stands designed for that fit and height.

Are double locking jack stands safer?

A second locking feature adds another way to secure the adjustable column, but it does not replace correct capacity, placement or setup. Read how the handle lock, pin or other mechanism engages, inspect it before use, and follow the instructions for that stand.

Can you use jack stands on a sloped driveway?

Do not support a vehicle on stands on a sloped or soft surface. Use firm, level ground, set the parking brake and follow the vehicle maker’s steps for securing the wheels that remain on the ground.

If you cannot create a stable setup, move the work to a suitable location.